Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Tortella humilis (Hedw.) Jenn.

Family: Pottiaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Barbula humilisHedwig
Mollia humilis (Hedw.) Lindb.
Streblotrichum humile (Hedw.) P. Beauvois
Tortula humilis (Hedw.) Turner
Trichostomum humile (Hedw.) Guim.


In Tortella humilis the hyaline base of the leaf extends up alongside the more distal papillose cells in a "V" shape. The stems are quite short, nearly acaulescent. The white, hyaline basal cells gradually shorten and become chlorophyllose as the extend distally to become quadrate papillose laminal cells. The stem has a central strand.

Please click on an image for a larger file.




Tortella humilis, (habit, but the long and twisted peristomes have been lost) collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, macro of stems, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, macro of stem, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of wet stem, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of leaf, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of leaf, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of leaf apex, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of leaf base, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of cell at mid leaf, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of leaf cell gradually transitioning in size and color from base on right to papillose portion of leaf to left, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of immature sporophyte, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of distal leaf cross section, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photos Russ Kleinman, Kelly Allred & Karen Blisard January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of proximal leaf cross section, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photo Kelly Allred, January 30, 2023



Tortella humilis, photomicrograph of stem cross section, collection by Richard Worthington, determination W.A. Weber, Eddy County, Guadalupe Mtns., FR540 in Big Canyon branch, on soil and rock, July 7, 2010; photo Kelly Allred, January 30, 2023


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